Nine parks across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area of Northern Ireland have been recognised with a Green Flag award.

The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised certification for environmental quality management for parks and open spaces. A record number of 76 locations were recognised across Northern Ireland this year.

The parks celebrated included ABC Canal Greenway, Brownstown Park, Edenvilla Park, Gosford Forest Park, Lurgan Public Park, Portadown People's Park, Solitude Park, Tannaghmore Gardens and the Palace Park.

This presented the ABC borough as one of the top three council areas to take home the largest number of Green Flags.

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Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell said: "Our significant collection of Green Flags are a ringing endorsement of how well we manage and maintain our parks and open spaces. Well done to the council staff who work hard all year to ensure we sustain our success in this scheme.

"I am particularly pleased about our two first-time Green Flag winners especially as they have both benefitted from major council investment in recent times.

"Brand new play facilities were opened in Brownstown Park last year. Despite only taking on responsibility for recreation management of Gosford Forest Park at the start of this year, the council has introduced new multi-use trails and is progressing plans to create a unique outdoor play adventure experience – the first of its kind on the island of Ireland.

"It's our ambition to make the borough a premier destination in Northern Ireland offering the best outdoor recreational activities and our collection of Green Flag Awards only serve to demonstrate our commitment to this."